CAPPA said its position is influenced by the reduced carbon emissions and better air quality that scientists have observed in some regions of the globe in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic due to slowed industrial activities and limited human mobility.

The World Environment Day is held June 5 annually. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Biodiversity” which underscores the importance of nature in providing the essential infrastructure that supports life on earth and human development. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the theme provides the driving momentum about nature in the lead up to the 15th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which was earlier billed for October 2020 but has been postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the group re-echoed the UN position that when man destroys biodiversity, the system that supports life itself is destroyed.

Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi said:

“The theme of this year’s World Environment Day commemoration reinforces our conviction that all hands must be on deck to save the environment. For Nigeria, the message is that it must wean itself of fossil fuels addiction and transit to clean and safe community-driven forms of energy that ensures harmony of nature and the people. Unfortunately, the current model that is reliant on fossil fuels has only brought on dislocation and disharmony”

Oluwafemi explained that the negative effects of Nigeria’s fossil fuels-driven model of development is unquantifiable and is amply reflected in the parlous environment it has created in the Niger Delta and communities across the country where mineral extraction happen.

“The Ogoni situation and that of other oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta are in plain sight. We are now witnesses to fish dying in large numbers and washing up ashore in that region. We equally see the conflicts in communities where extractions occur occasioned by the quest of for-profit only entities to evict them from their ancestral lands so that they extract without resistance. It is happening in every part of the country”

He pointed out that while the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the global economy, it equally offers lessons and opportunities that Nigeria and other nations of the world should take seriously to influence environmental actions.

He stressed for Nigeria it is time that the government demonstrates seriousness by first stopping investments in new oil fields. This should be followed up with a comprehensive environmental audit and clean up of the mess that fossil fuels has caused.

“Additionally, Nigeria must honour its climate commitments at global climate discussions which include introduction of mass transit to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads with positive impact on vehicular emissions, adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices, and put in place a workable framework for adoption of clean energy forms, among others”

“The focus on nature to commemorate this global event should be a wakeup call to the Nigerian government. We must no longer delay our move from dirty energy and transit to clean and safe community-driven forms of energy. Talk is cheap. Action is what we need”, he insisted.

]]>Nigeria Records 350 New Cases Of COVID-19, Total Infections Now 11,516http://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/05/nigeria-records-350-new-cases-of-covid-19-total-infections-now-11516/
Fri, 05 Jun 2020 07:07:53 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33498Nigeria has announced 350 new cases of novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) bringing the total infections in the country to 11, 516.

This was disclosed in a tweet on Thursday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The country has discharged 3, 535, and recorded 323 deaths.

According to the information on the NCDC official handle, the new cases spread across 19 states and the FCT with Lagos topping the list with 102 cases.

]]>WHO Resumes Use Of Hydroxychloroquine In Fight Against COVID-19, PTF Affirmshttp://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/05/who-resumes-use-of-hydroxychloroquine-in-fight-against-covid-19-ptf-affirms/
Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:58:30 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33495The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has affirmed that the World Health Organization has resumed its use of Hydroxychloroquine in the fight against COVID-19.

This was confirmed by the Chairman of the Committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, during the PTF’s briefing today.

The PTF Chairman warned however, that Nigerians must desist from rushing to buy the drug in a bid to self medicate.

Boss Mustapha also noted that overseeing the second phase of the ease of lockdown is a critical role which state governments must play diligently.

Mr Mustapha reminded the public on the need to comply with the guidelines for worship centers, insisting that compliance is very important at this time.

The Secretary General assured that the PTF will continue to monitor situations across the country and stressed that the committee will not hesitate to review its decisions if need be.

He urged members of the public to cooperate with the government and health authorities when it comes to contact tracing.

CTV

]]>Mosques, Churches In Lagos To Reopen From June 19 And 21 – Sanwo-Oluhttp://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/05/mosques-churches-in-lagos-to-reopen-from-june-19-and-21-sanwo-olu/
Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:56:33 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33491The Lagos State government has reviewed some of the protocols being used to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday at the Government House in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that the government would be relaxing the measures in the coming days.

He explained that this included the approval to reopen religious centres in the next two weeks, although it would come with some conditions.

“Dear Lagosians, we have completed an extended first phase and now, we are entering the second phase of our easing of the lockdown, in line with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and NCDC protocols on ease of lockdown,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He added, “From 14 days’ time, precisely from June 19 for our Muslim worshippers and from June 21 for our Christian worshippers; we will be allowing all of our religious bodies to open at a maximum of 40 per cent of their capacity and we will be working with them as expected.”

For places of worship with large crowds, the governor insisted that worshippers at such centres must not exceed 500 during a session.

He, however, noted that the government has allowed authorities to conduct more than one service but must maintain proper hygiene of the environment.

According to Sanwo-Olu, only Friday and Sunday services should be held for now and all other regular services, including night vigils, must be put on hold.

“As we all know, mass gathering during COVID-19 pandemic can be of serious public health consequences and there are documented evidence that mass gathering can increase the spread of this virus,” he stated.

The governor noted that the PTF had on Monday released a set of guidelines to further ease the lockdown but asked the state governments to build on the foundational guidelines issued and implement them to existing local realities.

In view of this, he announced that hotels and other hospitality businesses could reopen, and restaurants outside hotels were permitted to open for takeaway services only.

He explained that the government has engaged critical stakeholders in the last two weeks, including traditional rulers, various religious leaders, and members of the organised private sector in the state.

Sanwo-Olu said, “We have now granted offices and private businesses (excluding the prohibited one); all of our organised private sector and manufacturing concerns will now operate and open from 7am-6pm.

“There is a strategy to encourage them to run shifts and other flexible hours within their facilities.”

He also announced that all banks can now begin full operation, adding that government officers on Levels 13 and 14 should resume work while those on Levels 1 to 12 would stay back home until further notice.

CTV

]]>Busola Dakolo Gives Updates On Her Allegations Against Biodun Fatoyinbo …Says My voice will not be shut downhttp://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/05/busola-dakolo-gives-updates-on-her-allegations-against-biodun-fatoyinbo-says-my-voice-will-not-be-shut-down/
Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:52:49 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33488Celebrity Photographer, Busola Dakolo, has taken to social media to give an update on her rape case allegations against the senior pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo.

Dakolo who is the wife of a popular musician, Timi Dakolo disclosed in a statement on her Instagram page on Thursday that the Ministry of Justice has been silent since the case was referred to them for prosecution by the police.

“We have written a letter but for over a month we have no response,” she said.

“Instead, my lawyers and my family have heard about all manner of manipulation and foul play being attempted to stop the ministry from beginning prosecution immediately. Or even to get the police report manipulated.”

Busola, who is a photographer, thanked Nigerians for their solidarity and promised to keep pushing until justice is served.

“My name is Busola Dakolo, a survivor of one of the most horrific acts — rape. My voice will not be shut down. My case will not be silenced. I am thankful to those in and out of the police, the ministry, and corridors of power who have called in solidarity and to reassure me that they are monitoring the ministry of justice and that this pressure to bury the case will not succeed.”

In June 2019, Busola, 35, accused Fatoyinbo of raping her – twice – before she turned 18.

The allegation went viral on social media, with some saying it had triggered Nigeria’s #MeToo moment.

It also forced the pastor to go on “leave of absence from the pulpit” for weeks because it was the “right thing to do”. He, however, denied any wrongdoing.

The accusation led to the police and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) opening investigations.

Fatoyinbo, however, refused to appear before a panel set up by the latter, a PFN official said in August last year.

A wave of rape accusations swept through Nigeria’s social media during the week, and on Thursday, Busola added her voice to the movement by publishing an update into her own case.

She said the police had forwarded her case file to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation for “legal advice and further necessary action.”

“He clearly has a case to answer,” Busola added.

In November last year, an Abuja high court dismissed Busola’s suit against the COZA pastor, which she filed through her lawyer, and fined the plaintiff N1 million for wasting the court’s time.

]]>Ex-Ondo Governor Olumilua Dies At 80http://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/04/ex-ondo-governor-olumilua-dies-at-80/
Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:33:20 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33484The former governor of Old Ondo state in the third republic, Bamidele Olumilua is dead.

Olumilua was said to have died after a brief illness at around 3am today.

His son, Muyiwa Olumilua confirmed the news of his death.

“Yes, Baba died today around 3am,” he said.

“We thank God that he lived a good and worthy life and we are proud of his personality and achievements while alive. Burial arrangements will be announced later.”

According to Muyiwa, the burial arrangements would be announced later.

]]>Nigeria Records 348 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Infections Now 11,166http://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/04/nigeria-records-348-new-covid-19-cases-total-infections-now-11166/
Thu, 04 Jun 2020 10:47:57 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33480Nigeria has reported 348 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 11, 166.

This was confirmed yesterday in a tweet by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to NCDC, Lagos accounts for 163 of the cases, 76 in the FCT, and 23 in Ebonyi.

As at today, 3,329 have been discharged, while 315 deaths have been recorded.

Other affected states were Rivers with 21 cases, Delta, Nasarawa, and Niger with eight each, Enugu with six, five each in Bauchi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Gombe, four in Benue, two in Ogun, and one each in Osun, Plateau, Kogi and Anambra.

The incident was said to have occurred on Tuesday in Akinyele area of Ibadan, Oyo state.

It was gathered that her dad found her dead body around their home, after her body was examined, they discovered that she was raped, then she got murdered.

Bello Barakat, aged 18, was a year one student of Federal College of Animal Health and Production in Ibadan.

It was gathered that she has been buried according to Islamic rites.

Meanwhile, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest, zone D has demanded justice for the deceased who was assaulted and murdered.

Her death has continued to attract outrage nationwide as Nigerians have taken to social media to express their displeasure over the rising cases of Rape in Nigeria with the hashtag #JusticeforBarakat.

Recall that Ms Omozuwa, a 100 level Microbiology student of the University of Benin, was assaulted inside a hall in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ikpoba Hill, Benin City on May 13, where she went to study.

The Nation

]]>Buhari, AFDB President Adesina Meet In Abujahttp://nigeriancurrent.com/2020/06/02/buhari-afdb-president-adesina-meet-in-abuja/
Tue, 02 Jun 2020 14:50:56 +0000http://nigeriancurrent.com/?p=33472President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday held a meeting with Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, the President of the Africa Development Bank (AFDB).

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama and the Chief of Staff to the President Ibrahim Gambari.

The meeting which lasted about 45 minutes ended with Mr Adesina declining to speak with journalists.

This meeting follows a petition by a group of whistle-blowers against Adesina, accusing him of breaching AFDB’s code of conduct, some of which include private gains, impediments to efficiency, preferential treatment, and involvement in political activities.

The group, which noted their allegations were in line with AfDB’s whistleblowing policy, said these activities adversely affected the confidence and integrity of the bank.

Adesina has continued to deny these allegations, he maintained that he was innocent.

“I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped-up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honour and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank,” Adesina said recently while responding to the accusations.

The Nigerian government has, however, continued to rally support for Adesina. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed in a letter urged the board of the AfDB to ignore calls for an independent investigation of Mr Adesina.

Nigeria’s Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo in a communique also called on the board of AfDB to ignore calls for an independent investigation of Adesina by the US treasury secretary.